US–China relations
 US–China relations  (geopolitics)   | |
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The relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the United States of America (USA) has been complex and at times tense since the establishment of the PRC and the retreat of the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan in 1949. Since the normalisation of relations in the 1970s, US–China relations have been marked by persistent disputes including the political status of Taiwan, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and more recently the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Despite these tensions, the two nations have significant economic ties and are deeply interconnected, while also engaging in strategic competition on the global stage. As of 2025, China and the United States are the world's second-largest and largest economies by nominal GDP, as well as the largest and second-largest economies by GDP (PPP) respectively. Collectively, they account for 44.2% of the global nominal GDP, and 34.7% of global PPP-adjusted GDP.
Contents
History
One of the earliest major interactions between the United States and China was the 1845 Treaty of Wangxia, which laid the foundation for trade between the two countries. While American businesses anticipated a vast market in China, trade grew gradually. In 1900, Washington joined the Empire of Japan and other powers of Europe in sending troops to suppress the xenophobic Boxer Rebellion, later promoting the Open Door Policy to advocate for equal trade opportunities and discourage territorial divisions in China. Despite hopes that American financial influence would expand, efforts during the Taft presidency to secure US investment in Chinese railways were unsuccessful. President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, aligning with the Republic of China (ROC) government, which had formed a temporary alliance with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to fight the Japanese. Following Japan's defeat, the Chinese Civil War resumed, and US diplomatic efforts to mediate between the Nationalists and Communists ultimately failed. The Communist forces prevailed, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, while the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan.
Relations between the US and the new Chinese government quickly soured, culminating in direct conflict during the Korean War. The US-led United Nations intervention was met with Chinese military involvement, as Beijing sent millions of Chinese fighters to prevent a US-aligned presence on its border. For decades, the United States did not formally recognise the PRC, instead maintaining diplomatic relations with the ROC based in Taiwan, and as such blocked the PRC's entry into the United Nations. However, shifting geopolitical dynamics, including the Sino-Soviet split, the winding down of the Vietnam War, as well as of the Cultural Revolution, paved the way for US President Richard Nixon's 1972 visit to China, ultimately marking a sea change in China–United States relations. On 1 January 1979, the US formally established diplomatic relations with the PRC and recognised it as the sole legitimate government of China, while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan within the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act, an issue that remains a major point of contention between the two countries to the present day.
More assertive US stance
Every US president since Nixon has toured China during their term in office, with the exception of Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden. The Obama administration signed a record number of bilateral agreements with China, particularly regarding climate change, though its broader strategy of rebalancing towards Asia created diplomatic friction. The advent of the Xi's general secretaryship would prefigure a sharp downturn in these relations, which was then further entrenched upon the election of President Donald Trump, who had promised an assertive stance towards China as a part of his campaign, which began to be implemented upon his taking office. Issues included China's militarisation of the South China Sea, alleged manipulation of the Chinese currency, and Chinese espionage in the United States.[1] The Trump administration would label China a "strategic competitor" in 2017. In January 2018, Trump launched a trade war with China, while also restricting American companies from selling equipment to various Chinese companies linked to human rights abuses in Xinjiang, among which included Chinese technology conglomerates Huawei and ZTE.[2] The US revoked preferential treatment towards Hong Kong after the Beijing's enactment of a broad-reaching national security law in the city, increased visa restrictions on Chinese students and researchers, and strengthened relations with Taiwan. In response, China adopted "wolf warrior diplomacy", countering US criticisms of human rights abuses. By early 2018, various geopolitical observers had begun to speak of a new Cold War between the two powers.[3] On the last day of the Trump administration in January 2021, the US officially classified the Chinese government's treatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang as a genocide.[4]
Strategic competition
Following the election of Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election, tensions between the two countries remained high. Biden identified strategic competition with China as a top priority in his foreign policy. His administration imposed large-scale restrictions on the sale of semiconductor technology to China, boosted regional alliances against China, and expanded support for Taiwan. However, the Biden administration also emphasised that the US sought "competition, not conflict", with Biden stating in late 2022 that "there needs to not be a new Cold War". Despite efforts at diplomatic engagement, US-China trade and political relations have reached their lowest point in years, largely due to disagreements over technology and China's military growth and human rights record.[5]
Tariff war
US–China relations have seen tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs since US President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025.
The US has imposed flat tariffs of 20% on all Chinese imports, while Beijing has countered with additional 15% duties on US imports including chicken, pork, soy and beef, as well as expanded controls on doing business with key US companies.[6]
The Chinese embassy in the US posted on X saying:
- "China is ready to 'fight' and would not quietly accept the additional tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
- “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”
In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the US is “prepared” for a possible war with China in an interview with Fox & Friends:
- “Those who long for peace must prepare for war.”[7]
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:Revising U.S. Grand Strategy Toward China | Report | April 2015 | Robert Blackwill Ashley Tellis | Robert D. Blackwill and Ashley J. Tellis argue that the United States has responded inadequately to the rise of Chinese power. This Council Special Report recommends placing less strategic emphasis on the goal of integrating China into the international system and more on balancing China's rise. |
References
- ↑ "Why US-China relations are at their lowest point in decades"
- ↑ "China-US trade war: Sino-American ties being torn down brick by brick"
- ↑ "U.S. Signals Change in China Strategy to 'Defensive' And 'Competitive' Approach"
- ↑ https://www.nationalreview.com/news/incoming-secretary-of-state-backs-pompeos-uyghur-genocide-designation/
- ↑ "Tech wars: Why has China banned exports of rare minerals to US?"
- ↑ "China’s foreign minister criticises ‘arbitrary’ US tariffs"
- ↑ "China says it is ready to fight any type of war with the U.S. ‘to the end’ as Trump’s additional 10% tariff takes effect"
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